Pastor’s Message “Passing the Mantle”

 “So he set out from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was plowing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. (1 Kings 19:19)

     In the text above Elijah, the prophet, affirms Elisha as his successor by throwing his mantle over him. In the Bible a mantle (or tunic) was an outer garment often made of wool. It was both practical and symbolic. The mantle protected its wearer from the elements and often also served as a sign of office or status (Gildas Hamel, “Mantle,” New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible). Elijah’s mantle must have been very special because King Ahab identified Elijah only from a description of his mantle (2 Kings 2:8).

     Elijah performed many miracles with his mantle, such as parting the Jordan River (2 Kings 2). However, Eli Evans points out that the mantle itself wasn’t the source of power, but the power to do miracles came from God (Crosswalk.com). Elijah had been anointed as a prophet to do God’s work.

     When the time came for Elijah to “pass the mantle” to Elisha, his mantle fell from heaven as Elijah was being taken up in a chariot of fire. The mantle fell to Elisha, and he proceeded to work miracles as well, such as parting the Jordan River again. In fact, Elisha did many more miracles than Elijah and worked to help the kings and people of Israel turn back to God. Nineteen years ago I received a special calling from God to be a United Methodist pastor. Through much of my career an alb or robe symbolized my office. Now I feel led to don the dress shirt and tie of a pastoral counselor. I pass that pastoral robe to Rev. Bayo Ogungbade who will be your next pastor as of July 1st. I have faith that Pastor Bayo will inherit a “double share” of God’s Spirit to accomplish greater things than I have (ref. 2 Kings 2:9-12). Please be in prayer for Pastor Bayo during this transition period.

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Blessings!  Pastor Shayne